FOLLIES at Paper Mill

Does anybody remember the wonderful revival of FOLLIES at Paper Mill Playhouse. I was the musical director and what a cast we had. Ann Miller, Donna McKechnie, Dee Hoty, Tony Roberts, Kaye Ballard, Liliane Montevecchi, Eddie Bracken, Donald Saddler, Laurence Guittard, Phyllis Newman. Great review from The New York Times. That is the revival that should have gone to Broadway. Every night after Ann Miller sang "I'm Still Here" there was a standing ovation. It was a stunningly beautiful production, and I am not just saying that because I was invovled in it. Jerry Mitchell choreographed. Excellent! Any thoughts?

---

I love the recording of this revival. The singing is so great, and the inclusion of all the alternative songs makes it truly definitive (yes, I know the concert recording is great, but the fact that its live makes some of the singing a little sloppy, and I guess I am a perfectionist). The Paper Mill recording also made me a fan of many of the new songs added for the London production, so I was incredibly disappointed when Roundabout's revival used the original score.

Well, you did a stunning job on FOLLIES. I agree that this was the one to go to Broadway. I couldn't get tickets to your production, but did see the disappointing Roundabout version (none of the leads could sing!). The Papermill recording is fantastic and you should be very proud of it. Its one of my favorite scores and I hope I can sing it one day.

Thanks for the kind words. I did 23 shows at Paper Mill between 1981 and 2000, and it definitely was the high point. Other great productions were NINE, CANDIDE, BRIGADOON, and THE MERRY WIDOW with Judy Kaye.

---

Chase Mishkin and Roger Berlind were raising money and then James Goldman's wife got into the fray and it all went belly-up. We were all devastated. In this business how often do you get to do something that is so special and artistically fulfilling? Not that often. The word of mouth was unbelievable and it looked like it was going to happen, then one day we heard that it was dead in the water. We all would have liked to know what went on behind those closed doors! It is really nice to hear everyone's memories of FOLLIES. Thank you all....

---

The Paper Mill production should have come to Broadway. The 2001 revival at the Belasco had a few moments, but it was underwhelming overall. I loved the production when I first saw it and still listen to the cast album.

I'd be very surprised to learn that Sondheim-a legendary perfectionist with very high standars for productions of his work-would dislike the wonderful Paper Mill production but like the undercooked Broadway incarnation.

MelissaEriccofan?--

"I'd be very surprised to learn that Sondheim-a legendary perfectionist with very high standars for productions of his work-would dislike the wonderful Paper Mill production but like the undercooked Broadway incarnation."

How do you know that Sondheim liked the recent Broadway revival of FOLLIES?

Additionally, sorry, but I have read 90 percent of every book written about the divine Stephen and I have NEVER heard him referred to as a perfectionist. As a matter of fact, he is more often described as "lazy," and "more interested in smoking joints than working,"-- with his collaborators often literally having to coax him to speed his writing. The man is a genius and he has given me great joy in my life and I love him very dearly..
However, You are the first person I have ever heard refer to Sondheim as a "perfectionist."

Perhaps if he were a perfectionist, some of his shows might have "healthier" runs and he might do some more works that at least do not CONTINUE to lose money.

Again, I love Stephen, but the facts are there........his shows nor their revivals tend to have runs worthy of who is probably one of the three greatest composers musical theater has ever known.

As for Sondheim thinking the Paper Mill production was not first rate, THAT quote is from Kaye Ballard who was in the show. She talks about it in her new book. Perhaps Ms. Ballard is wrong in what she wrote in her book. She is wonderful but is indeed getting on in years. I wish I could have seen the Paper Mill production.

---

Updated On: 2/15/05 at 03:24 PM

Sondheim is a brilliant composer and a terrific man. There was nothing malicious about my post. There is nothing wrong with being a perfectionist.

Margo, you are two hundred percent right about Burnett's I'M STILL HERE. I found it a tad embarassing for her actually.

Wouldn't it be exciting to hear Liza perform the song someday?

Anyway, I have read a couple of different times that "those who have seen and heard them all," think that Nancy Walker's rendition of I'M STILL HERE was the best there ever was.

---

I don't actually think that I have ever read a biography on Sondheim, but I'll take your word for it. Perfectionist was just the word that came into my head. He is known for having high standards, and, as we've said, there is nothing wrong with that. Not having high standards can lead to some pretty crappy productions, and who wants that?

I love Dorothy Loudon's version of "I'm Still Here" on THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM ALBUM.

Sondheim was also the executive producer for the Paper Mill recording, so he couldn't have been that unhappy with the production.

I also think Ballard is mistaken. The issue with Follies is that Bobby Goldman, on behalf of her (late) husband, has the controlling interest in all first class productions of the show. Sondheim has surprisingly little say over first class rights for that show, and as the title was promised to the Roundabout for their revival, he didn't want to fight her.

---

Updated On: 2/15/05 at 07:04 PM

Is she still associated with Paper Mill?

---